Interscope has penciled in a Jan. 27 release for "Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991-1997)," a 21-track retrospective of the seminal New York hardcore act. Group leader Page Hamilton was involved in the selection of the songs, which include the 1997 Modern Rock Tracks chart hit "Exactly What You Wanted" and such staples as "Unsung," "Milquetoast" and "Give It."

"Unsung" also sports the House Of Pain collaboration "Just Another Victim," from 1993's "Judgement Night" soundtrack, plus the "Feeling Minnesota" soundtrack contribution "Disagreeable."

Helmet split in 1999 after five studio albums. And while a published report in August claimed the group was eyeing a reunion, a management spokesperson for Hamilton refuted the claim to Billboard.com. Instead, Hamilton has signed a deal with Interscope for a new project, which includes late period Helmet guitarist Chris Traynor. As previously reported, the pair has also collaborated on tracks intended for Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale's solo debut.

The group is targeting a May or June release for its Interscope debut, which will be supported by Hamilton's most extensive set of live dates in some time. "Page is serious about working and returning to the live scene," the spokesperson says.

As much as I like Helmet, I hope they don't reunite and cheapen their legacy. I do look forward Page's new project though.

lordzeppelin

01-02-04, 01:26 AM

Bring it all on. I'm dying for some new Page.

DodgingCars

01-02-04, 12:34 PM

I was never a big Helmet fan, but I've always liked the song "Unsung" -- one of my favorite rock songs of the 90s.

The Bus

01-03-04, 10:02 AM

Where's their song "Gigantor" from the Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits?

db27

01-03-04, 10:11 AM

haven't heard much of this band, who would you liken them to? any standout tracks i should download to sample them?

DodgingCars

01-03-04, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by db27
haven't heard much of this band, who would you liken them to? any standout tracks i should download to sample them?

Unsung was their radio/mtv hit.

woofman

01-03-04, 10:03 PM

If you buy any CD of theirs, buy "Meantime", followed up by "Betty". Pure heaviness as it was meant to be. To this day it still blows away all the psuedo "heavy" crap played on the radio. Not that that is saying much.

gerrythedon

01-05-04, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by db27
haven't heard much of this band, who would you liken them to? any standout tracks i should download to sample them?

from MEANTIME:
In The Meantime
Unsung
Iron Head
Turned Out

... actually like posted [woofman] above the WHOLE [MEANTIME] album is SWEET!

from BETTY:
Milquetoast
Wilma's Rainbow
Speechless

lordzeppelin

02-20-04, 04:00 AM

The new Album is due in June...I can't wait. I've heard 6 Gandhi (Page's "other" band that is now going under "helmet" by force of the record label...)

I must say the song you get to Download if you buy the best of, called "smart", is a damn fine song.

I personally can't wait to hear more Gandhi/helmet. The Gandhi songs are pretty solid.

Welcome back Page. VIVA LA HELMET!

TripWire

02-20-04, 08:48 AM

How does that even make sense marketing wise?
The Best of CD was basically put out on the premise that Helmet is no more, even the the CD insert mentions so.

Now a few months late they force the band to go under the name Helmet?

wtf

badlieut

02-20-04, 11:53 AM

I remember seeing them back in early 92 when their first album from Amphetamine Reptile was out (which is their best album btw). It was such an incredible show...still have the videotape of it somewhere. It was at such a tiny place and I was essentially face-to-face with Page. I might pick this GH album up but most of the albums after Meantime were pretty weak IMHO.

Mr. M

02-21-04, 12:01 AM

Originally posted by badlieut
when their first album from Amphetamine Reptile was out (which is their best album btw).

...but most of the albums after Meantime were pretty weak IMHO.

:up:

Meantime is powerful, but the raw intensity of Strap It On makes it my favorite Helmet album.